Businesses in Northern Ontario are concerned about the potential end of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) this year, fearing it may impact their ability to recruit necessary employees.
They are urging local MPs Viviane Lapointe and Marc Serre to make RNIP a permanent program under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Chamber of Commerce's Geoffrey Hatton states that the program facilitates finding skilled labour. In 2023, RNIP helped 2,475 foreigners become permanent residents of Canada, more than double the number from 2022.
#IRCC, #RNIP, #Sudbury, #rural_immigration
February 5, 2024
British Columbia's Premier David Eby urges the Federal Government to reconsider its cap on international students, as it greatly reduces the number of foreign postsecondary spaces in the province.
Eby suggests exemptions for high-demand fields like truck driving, nursing, and early childhood education.
The Federal Government imposed the cap due to unsustainable numbers of international students straining housing and health care.
Eby agrees with the cap but seeks reductions that minimize harm to the provincial economy, postsecondary establishments, and students.
#BC, #international_students, #David_Eby, #cap_on_international_student
February 5, 2024
On January 30, 2024, New Brunswick's Health Minister Bruce Fitch celebrated the contributions of internationally educated nurses at Loch Lomond Villa, Saint John.
The Minister reiterated the government's commitment to healthcare workforce growth, emphasizing the importance of recruiting nurses.
Over 180 job offers have been accepted from a recruitment mission in the Philippines, and since 2021, over 500 internationally educated nurses, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and healthcare aides, have been recruited.
Over 200 are already employed in the province, with others undergoing the immigration process.
The process to become licensed in New Brunswick has been expedited for nurses from 14 countries. These nurses can work in support positions before becoming licensed.
#New_Brunswick, #nursing, #healthcare_workers, #internationally_trained_nurses
February 5, 2024
The provincial and federal governments are investing in a Labour Force Adjustment Committee to tackle New Brunswick's construction sector labour shortages. Spearheaded by the Construction Association of New Brunswick, the committee concentrates on filling job openings through immigration.
Their goal is to cater to the increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, with a special focus on residential construction.
Present labour force data reveals that roughly 4.2% of construction jobs are currently vacant. Based on labour force projections, we anticipate 8,400 retirements and thousands of new jobs by 2032.
The committee's initiatives will bolster ongoing efforts to encourage apprenticeships and skilled trades. The provincial government has pledged $250,000 to the project, and the federal government is contributing $190,612.
#New_Brunswick, #construction_workers, #labour_shortages
February 5, 2024
